Tampines Rovers vs Balestier Khalsa

(October 18, Saturday, 7.30pm, Clementi Stadium)

Written by: Muhammad Yazid

The Stags will take on Balestier Khalsa for the sixth time this season, after being matched up with the Tigers in various competitions besides the Great Eastern Yeo’s S.League.

By now, both teams should be aware of each others’ strengths and weaknesses.

It would not only be the sixth time the two teams play each other, but also a crucial one as both teams will want to have maximum points.

Third-placed Tampines will not be able to ask for a better opportunity to close down on Brunei DPMM as a win would put them on equal points with the league leaders.

As for the Tigers, a win would lift them two spots above, to fourth place.

Up until the recent second leg semi-final of the RHB Singapore Cup, Balestier have lost in all four games it had with Tampines.

But when it really mattered, Balestier managed to eke out a 1-0 win against the Stags before going on to triumph on penalties in the return leg of the Singapore Cup semi-final to make the competition’s final.

While the Stags might still have a shout at the title and will want to avenge their defeat to the Tigers, it will be easier said than done against a Balestier side which too will want to show that the win was no fluke and will go all out even though the club has no chance of winning the S.League.

Judging by that game, Tampines had dominated the game, but found Balestier goalkeeper Zaiful Nizam in excellent form. If the custodian is inspired to produce the same once again, the Stags might find themselves having a tough time once more.

Suspension: Syed Thaha (Balestier Khalsa)

Key Men To Watch

Tampines Rovers: Ismadi Mukhtar

The surprise addition to the national team which faced Macau few days back will be looking to get his focus back on the title race.

Given an opportunity to start the game in the 2-2 draw with Macau, Ismadi is expected to torment down the flanks once again – something he has been doing throughout the season, now against Balestier.

Balestier Khalsa: Goran Ljubojevic

In the running for the top scorer award, Ljubojevic is joined by Kazuki Sakamoto in tailgating Rodrigo Tosi, who is two goals ahead.

All he need is a brace to catch up on the Brunei DPMM striker and it does not seem impossible, as that was exactly what he did against Albirex Niigata (S) in the last game.

Whether or not he claims a brace, the Croatian’s main objective would be to lead the lines in attack to award his team another impressive win.

Tampines Rovers – WLWDL

2/10/14    Home United 0-1 Tampines Rovers

25/9/14    Balestier Khalsa (4P) 1-0 (1) Tampines Rovers (RHB Singapore Cup SF 2nd Leg)

22/9/14    Tampines Rovers 2-1 Balestier Khalsa (RHB Singapore Cup SF 1st Leg)

17/9/14    Tampines Rovers 0-0 Albirex Niigata (S)

29/8/14    Warriors FC 2-0 Tampines Rovers

Balestier Khalsa – WWWLW

6/10/14    Balestier Khalsa 2-0 Albirex Niigata (S)

1/10/14    Warriors FC 0-1 Balestier Khalsa

25/9/14    Balestier Khalsa (4P) 1-0 (1) Tampines Rovers (RHB Singaporepore Cup SF 2nd Leg)

22/9/14    Tampines Rovers 2-1 Balestier Khalsa (RHB Singapore Cup SF 1st Leg)

5/9/14       Harimau Muda 1-5 Balestier Khalsa

Head to Head (S.League)

24/6/14    Balestier Khalsa 0-2 Tampines Rovers

13/4/14    Tampines Rovers 3-1 Balestier Khalsa

24/9/13    Balestier Khalsa 0-0 Tampines Rovers

25/5/13    Balestier Khalsa 4-0 Tampines Rovers

17/3/13    Tampines Rovers 2-1 Balestier Khalsa

23/6/12    Tampines Rovers 3-1 Balestier Khalsa

16/2/12    Balestier Khalsa 1-0 Tampines Rovers

27/11/11  Tampines Rovers 5-0 Balestier Khalsa

6/8/11      Balestier Khalsa 0-1 Tampines Rovers

30/4/11    Tampines Rovers 5-0 Balestier Khalsa